Real Life Runners with Angie and Kevin Brown

Skinny culture is making a comeback… and honestly, it’s got me concerned. It’s not only back — it feels like it’s EVERYWHERE. And it’s not serving runners — especially women in their 40s and beyond.

In this episode of the Real Life Runners Podcast, Kevin and I have a real, honest conversation about why chasing “skinny” is holding so many runners back — from stronger runs, better recovery, and long-term health.

We dive into three powe...

As a new year begins, it’s natural to feel the pull to set big goals for what’s ahead. In this episode, we’re diving into why so many New Year’s resolutions don’t last—and more importantly, how to set goals for 2026 that actually stick.

We talk about the difference between outcome goals (like hitting a race time or distance) and process goals—the daily and weekly actions that truly move the needle. Because results don’t come from wi...

On this special Christmas Day episode of the Real Life Runners Podcast (Episode 441), we slow things down and explore a different side of running — one that goes far beyond pace, mileage, or goals.

Today’s conversation invites you to see running as a spiritual practice — a space for reflection, waiting, preparation, and renewal. Drawing inspiration from spiritual traditions like Advent, we talk about what it means to trust the proce...

As runners, it’s so easy to look back on a year and immediately zoom in on what didn’t go as planned — the missed runs, the injuries, the goals we didn’t hit. In this episode, we slow things down and invite you into a different kind of reflection — one rooted in curiosity, compassion, and growth rather than judgment.

We guide you through a thoughtful process to reflect on your year in running, helping you notice both the visible win...

In this week’s episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Kate Edwards, a physical therapist with more than 15 years of experience and someone who brings so much compassion and clarity to the running community. From the very beginning, I knew this conversation would resonate deeply with runners who struggle with identity, injury, stress, or the constant pressure to “do it all.”

Kate shares how her journey into run...

December has a way of shining a spotlight on our default habits. With holiday schedules, travel, celebrations, and a million extra to-dos, it’s easy to feel like your running routine gets thrown off track. But here’s what you might not realize: December doesn’t break your consistency— it simply reveals the defaults you fall back on when life gets full.

In this episode, we talk about how to shift those defaults so you can stay connec...

This week’s episode is all about something we all need a little more of—gratitude, grounding, and giving ourselves grace through the holidays.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we’re diving into simple, practical ways you can weave gratitude into your running and daily life. Not in a “force yourself to be grateful” kind of way, but in a gentle, real, “let’s slow down and notice what’s good” way. From a 30-second pre-run gra...

Training Single-Leg Control for Better Running

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into something I talk about with runners every single day: your hips. If you’ve ever wondered why certain niggles keep showing up, why your gait feels “off,” or why your stride doesn’t feel as smooth as it should, this episode is for you.

Although many people think of running as a two-legged sport, it is actually a one-legged activity repeated thousan...

In this week’s episode, Kevin and I dive into something that so many runners (especially my fellow Type A personalities!) will relate to — the paradox of control.

As runners, we love our plans, our paces, our structure. Control helps us stay consistent and push toward our goals. But when that need for control starts to take over, it can also lead to stress, frustration, and even burnout — both on the run and in life.

We open up about...

In this final episode of our recovery series, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked — yet absolutely essential — parts of recovery: your nervous system.

So often, runners think recovery is just about foam rolling, stretching, and getting enough sleep. But real recovery goes deeper. It’s about helping your body and mind shift out of “go mode” and into a state where true repair can happen.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

This week on the Real Life Runners Podcast, we’re continuing our recovery series by diving into the tools that everyone seems to be talking about — cold plunges, saunas, compression gear, massage guns, and more.

There’s a lot of hype out there, but what actually works? 🤔
 In this episode, we break down the science behind these popular recovery methods — how they affect your body, when to use them, and when they might actually g...

Recovery isn’t just what happens when you stop running — it’s where the real progress happens. In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the science behind active and passive recovery so you can understand how each plays a vital role in helping you become a stronger, more resilient runner.

I’ll break down what’s actually happening inside your body during recovery and why alternating between rest and movement matters.

You’ll learn:

Most runners love the feeling of a good workout — that endorphin rush, the sweat, the sense of accomplishment. But here’s the truth: your body doesn’t get stronger during the run. It gets stronger during recovery.

In this episode, Angie and Kevin kick off a brand-new series on the science of recovery — because if you want to make progress, stay healthy, and actually feel good while running, recovery isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Th...

In this week’s Real Life Runners podcast, I’m joined by Kelly Lyons — a nutrition and eating psychology coach who helps women heal their relationship with food and their bodies. Kelly opens up about her personal journey through binge eating, which began back in high school, and how she ultimately broke free by uncovering the root causes and learning to rewire her brain.

This conversation is honest, compassionate, and full of practic...

Teamwork isn’t just for cross-country teams, group runs, or the workplace—it’s a value that can shape every part of our running journey and our everyday lives.

In this episode, we wrap up our series on core values with one of the most powerful of them all: teamwork. We explore what it really means to be part of a team, even if you consider yourself a “solo runner,” and how cultivating teamwork can transform the way you approach chal...

In this week’s episode, we’re continuing our Core Values series by diving into one of the most powerful values for runners and for life: resilience.

Resilience isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about bouncing back, learning, and growing stronger with every setback. We’ll share stories from our own running and coaching journeys, along with practical strategies you can use to build your own resilience on the run and beyond.

From to...

In episode 427 of the Real Life Runners Podcast, we continue our Core Values series with one of the most powerful keys to lasting success in running—and life: commitment.

Motivation comes and goes. Some mornings you’ll wake up ready to run, other days… not so much. That’s why commitment matters more. It’s the steady anchor that carries you through the days when motivation fades.

In this episode, we dive into Core Value #3: Commitment...

We’re kicking off a brand-new series on the podcast all about core values—the guiding principles that shape not just how we run, but how we live.

In this episode, we’re diving into respect:

• Respect for yourself, your training, and your recovery
• Respect for your teammates, competitors, and the sport itself
• Respect in how you handle challenges, setbacks, and successes

You’ll hear how we teach this value to our cross-country athle...

In this empowering episode, I sit down with Dr. Rachel Vong, a naturopathic doctor who specializes in women’s thyroid health, especially hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s.

We dive into the connection between thyroid function, perimenopause, and weight loss—exploring why so many women struggle with fatigue, weight gain, and hormonal shifts even when they’re “doing everything right.”

Dr. Vong breaks down the importance of optimal lab test...